Storage bin for ice cube making machine



. L 1958 D. F. SWANSON ETAL I STORAGE BIN FOR ICE CUBE! MAKING MACHINE I Filed Oct. '7, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Dona/a F Swanson famund J Buz/c/ry PM 7" mfi m D. F. SWANSON ET AL 2,860,027

STORAGE BIN FOR ICE CUBE MAKING MACHINE Nov. 11, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 7, 1955 INVENTOR Donald F Swansonv famund J. Buzic n A BY 1% 1958 D. F. SWANSON ET'AL. 2,860,027

STORAGE BIN FOR ICE CUBE. MAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 7, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 l 50 E 7?J 50 -69 69' t .1 i" "T I 1 'H' E5 40 n v IN VENTOR Dona/d F Swanson fdm'und J. Buz/c/ry STORAGE BIN FOR ICE CUBE MAKING MACHINE Donald F. Swanson and Edmund J. Buzicky, St. Paul, Minn., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Whirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application October 7, 1955, Serial No. 539,053

9 Claims. (Cl. 312-612) This invention relates to an improvement in storage bins for ice cube making machines and deals particularly with a simple and effective means of simplifying the removal of ice cubes from the machine.

' Various ice cube machines have been produced capable of forming ice cubes automatically and dropping the cubes into a storage bin. For example, an apparatus for this purpose is shown in application, Serial No. 306,096, filed August 25, 1952, by Russell W. Ayres and Donald F. Swanson. These machines usually produce ice cubes automatically untilthe storage bin is substantially full and then stop operation until more cubes are needed. Due to the fact that the door to the storage compartment is frequently opened during normal use, there is a tendency for the cubes to freeze together, both due to melting of the surface and also to the weight of the cubes upon the bottom cubes. Furthermore, with most such devices, the top cubes are constantly being withdrawn and the bottom cubes are, therefore, in the storage compartment for considerable periods of time and thisfactor adds to the possibility of the cubes adhering together.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of an ice cube forming machine having a storage bin into which the ice cubes fall. A door is provided in the wall of this storage compartment, the door being located near the bottom of the compartment. Baffle means are provided to prevent the cubes from falling from the door when the same is opened andto preventthe cubes from interfering with the operation of the door. These bafiie means permit the operator to remove cubes from the bottom of the storage compartment, thus providing a consistent turnover and eliminating many of the difiiculties previously encountered.

United States Patent A further feature ofv the present. invention resides in the provision of an ice cube making machine including a' storage bin, the bottom .of which is. in. an elevated position. As a result, the ice cubes may be removed conve'niently without reaching to a point. near the floor level as would be normally necessary. in'ice cube machines of usual. type. ifcubes were to be removed from near the bottom of. the compartment.

Anv added feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an, ice cube making machine having a slidable door. This door. is. preferably supported for vertical sliding movement and opens downwardly. Thus in the event one or two ice cubes have been forced into a position contacting theinner surface .of the door, these cubes willnot.interfere withv theopeningof the dooriand will not fall fromlthe cabinet unless thedoor islowered to a point beneath them.

A further featu jeofgthe present invention resides in the provisionof a dooropening.includingon its inner surface a -remogable downwardly and inwardly inclined baffle. T,his baffle ,is shaped; to,prevent the cubes from dropping nea door and. yet permits plenty, of;room to accomaqgd. a cqs :Q a heiyp ed* t re e h tgube batfi Ai ey/ e smounte or.- e n s at sui a in er a s A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a bafile which is removably. supported near the floor of the storage compartment and which is pivotally supported to incline upwardly and outwardly against the inner surface of the door. As the door is lowered, the baffie rides against the inner surface until the top of the door is lowered beneath the upper end of the baffie. The baffle then hinges downwardly and. outward; ly to make the cubes resting thereagainst readily cessible. The door may be lowered anamountdesire d t9 hold this chute or baffle at a proper angle.

A further feature of the present invention lies i n the fact that the chute or second baffle removably, sypported so that it can be detached for cleaning when de- 7 sired. An added feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a removable false bottom member which forms the floor of the storage compartment. This false bottom is provided with an upwardly andoutwardly inclined edge which is substantially on the plane of; the chute or second bafiie when the door is fullylowered. Asa result a smooth surface is provided over which a scoop may be moved to pick up adesire'd number ofice cubes.

These and other objects and novel features of our invention will be more clearly andfully set forth in the following specification and claims. i

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure 1 is a front elevationalview of anice cube making apparatus showing the general arrangement thereof and showing the door in closed position;

Figure 2 is a. side elevational view of the ice cube making machine shown in Figure 1 and showing the-door in open position; l i

Figure'3 is a top plan view of the forward portion of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2; I i

Figure 4 is a sectional view vertically through an edge of the door opening showing thebafiles in place there'- upon;

Figure 5 isa front elevationalview of the first or upper baffie. showing one end thereof;

Figure 6 is a perspective view ofone of the clips designed to hold the upper baflie in position;

Figure 7 is a perspective viewof one ofthe clips for holding the lower bame .or chute in position;

Figure 8 is a front elevationalview of the door removed from the apparatus;

Figure 9 is a plan view of one end of the door mounting, showing the arrangement of partsthereinp Y Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view through a po tion of the edge of the door and adjoining parts of the cabinet; I x

Figure 11 is a side or edge elevational viewbf the upper portionof the door, shown in Figure 8;

Figure 12, is a plan view of an end of the chute or second baffle showing the pivot pin and the door engaging slides;

Figure 13 is a sectionalview through the upper portion of the door and the adjoining slide.

The ice cube making machine is indicated in general by the letter A. While the specific construction of the apparatus is not of utmost importance in the present-invention, in general it includes a pair .of inclined freezing plates 10 and 11 arranged in superimposed relation. A manifold, not, shown in the drawings, is fed with water from a fluid supply line 12 to flow water over the upper plateit). The overflow from this plate. is directed by a baffle 13 to the upper end of the lower plate 11. The overflow from the plate 11. is. collectedYinl a suitable troughor manifold 14 and is returned to the water tank 15 which provides thewater supply. A pump lfidriven by a motor 17 circulates the water as described when the pump is. in operation.

deflecting plate 21 beyond the end of the lower grid 20,

these cubes dropping into the storage bin, the outline of which is indicated at 22. The cubes from the lower grid may, if desired, be partially deflected by a baffle 23 so as to spread the cubes throughout the bin or receptacle 22.

, As indicated in Figures 1 and 4, an opening 24 is provided'in the front wall 25 of the ice cube maker cabinet, this opening having its lower edge 26 inclined downwardly and inwardly and being located above the bottom wall 27 of the storage compartment 22. The bottom wall 27 is substantially above the bottom 29 of the cabinet so as to simplify the operation of removing cubes from the storage compartment.

A pair of door supporting slides or tracks 30 and 31 are mounted upon the front wall 25 of the cabinet and extend from a point slightly above the top of the opening 24 to a point substantially below the opening. These tracks are constructed as is best indicated in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings. Each track is provided with an anchoring flange 32 which is secured in surface contact with the front wall 25 of the compartment. An outturned flange 33 is provided along the inner edge of the flange 32 anda forwardly and inwardly inclined flange 34 is connected I0 the outer edge of each anchoring flange. A flange 35 parallel to the anchoring flange 32 is formed on the outer extremity of the flange 34 and -an inturned right angular flange 36 is connected to the inner edge of the flange 35. A channel forming strip 37 i is connected between the flange 33'and the juncture of the flanges 35 and 36, each strip 37 having a channelshaped intermediate portion 39. The door is slidable between the channel portions 39 of the strips 37. The door 40 is constructed as is best illustrated in Figures 8 and 11 of the drawings. The door comprises a generally rectangular body having an outer panel 41 with marginally connected rectangular walls '42 connected thereto. Inturned flanges 43 are provided on the wall flanges 42 and an inner plate 44 is secured to the flanges 43 forming a hollow rectangular body filled with insulation as at 49.

A pair of slides 50 are provided on opposite sides of the door 40 and a similar pair of slides 51 are mounted to the door edges near the bottom thereof. These slides project beyond the flanges 42 forming the walls of the a door and extend into the channels 39 of the strips 37 forming a' part of the door slides or tracks 30 and 31. Upward movement of the door is limited in the manner best illustrated in Figure 13 of the drawings. The upper end of each slide 30' and 31 is bent over to close the top of the channel-shaped structure, this flange being indicated at 52. A strike 53 is supported by the flange 52 extending downwardly. toward the door. This strike 53 includes ananchoring flange 54 and an outwardly turned doubled flange 55 at the lower end thereof. A rubber bumper 56 extends through the wall flange of the door 40and engages'against the under surface of the strike flange 55 to cushion the stopping action.

An elongated spring 57 is anchored between each upper slide and the body of the door. Each spring strip includes an inwardly turned flange 59 terminating in an outwardly bent flange 60. This structure forms a detent which is spring supported and which may engage over the strike flanges to hold the door in an elevated positionl The lower end of the tracks or slides 30 and 31 are provided with closing flanges similar to the flanges 52, but not specifically illustrated in the drawings.

' tion engaging against the inner door surface.

In usual practice the tracks or slides are provided with upper and lower aligned sections, the lower sections being designated by the numerals 30' and 31. The upper portions of the slides are secured to the front panel 25 ofthe cabinet, while the lower track portions are secured to a front cover panel 61 beneath the forward panel 25 of the cabinet. Clips 62 and 63 permit the two track portions to fit together in proper alignment. While the specific details of construction of the cabinet are not described in detail, it will be seen that the bin 25 is formed within insulated walls and a breaker strip such as 64 forms a connection in the door opening between the bin liner 65 and the outer panel 25. A gasket 66 projects forwardly from the edges ofthe door opening, the gasket extending marginally around the door opening and being anchored between the breaker strip 64 and the inturned edge 67 of the outer panel 25. This gasket extends in sealing relation to the inner surface of the door so as to prevent the leakage of warm air into the refrigerator.

The door 40 is provided with interior reinforcements 69 which are arranged in spaced parallel relation within the body of the door. These reinforcements are indicated in Figure 11 and are channel-shaped in cross sec- They are secured in place by metal screws 70 or other similar means which extend through an anchoring flange 71 at the lower end of each reinforcement. The purpose of these reinforcements is to strengthen the door at the point of engagement with the cams supporting the ice chute or baffle, which will be later described. A handle 72 of suitable type and design is secured to the forward surface of the door and provides a means by which the door may be raised and lowered.

A pair of baflle supporting hooks 73 shown in Figures 4 and 6 of the drawings are secured to the upper margin of the door opening 24 to extend inwardly therefrom. These hooks 73 are anchored by a cap screw'or metal screw 74 extending through a slot 75 in the base portion 76 of the hooks. Upwardly rounded hook portions 77 are attached to the inner edge of the base 76 and hook fingers 79 extend outwardly parallel to the base portions 76 centrally between the sides of the upturned portion 77. These hooks are designed to provide a detachable support for the upper baffle 80 which is best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

The baffle 80 includes a downwardly and inwardly extending wall panel 81 having an inwardly opening channel-shaped lower edge 82. The panel 81 is connected at opposite ends to an outwardly inclined'generally triangular supporting panel 83 which also includes a channel-shaped lower edge 84. A flange 85 is provided along the vertical marginal edge of the panel 83, the flanges 85 at opposite ends of the baifle being arranged in a substantially common plane.

The panel 81 is provided with a rounded hook portion 86 which extends inwardly of the refrigerator compartment and forms substantially a semi-circle in section. The panel 81 is provided with a pair of relatively wide slots 87 near its upper extremity at the juncture between the panel 81 and the rounded flange 86. The slots 87 are each sufliciently wide to accommodate the upwardly curved portions 77 of the hook supports 73. The rounded flange 86 is provided with a pair of elongated slots 89 which are substantially aligned with the center of the elongated slots 87. The slots 89 are positioned and are of proper width to accommodate the fingers 79 of the supporting hooks 73. I

When the baflle 80 is swung inwardly from the door opening 24, the slots 89 slide along the hook-shaped fingers 79 until the hook-shaped flange 86 is free of the fingers 79. The batfle may then be lifted upwardly to disengage it from the supporting hooks, the fingers 79 passing through the slots 87. The baflie may be returned to place with a reverse operation. If desired, the baffle 80 may be held in its operative position by metal screws or other means extending through apertures 90 in the marginal flanges 85.

The ice cube machine A is also provided with a lower bafile or chute illustratedin general by the numeral 91. This baffle is held in place by a pair of opposed brackets 92, one of which is the reverse of the other. Each bracket 92 includes a vertical side plate 93 having an aperture 94 extending therethrough and designed to' accommodate an anchoring screw 95 of the type employed to secure the breaker strips 64 forming the side walls of the door opening 24. The inner edges of the vertical plates 93 are provided with L-shaped notches 95 designed to accommodate outwardly projecting pintles on the baflie or chute 91 as will be later described.

A lock 96 is provided to hold the chute 91 engaged in the bracket 92 under normal conditions of operation. This lock includes a locking edge 97 which overlies the major part of slot 95 to prevent the moving of the pintles out of the slot. The plate also includes a corner 99 which engages the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment liner to limit pivotal movement of the lock in one direction. The lock is pivoted to the plate 93 at 100 and includes a flange 101 providing a means of pivoting the lock out of locking position.

The brackets 92 also include an inclined flange 102 designed to overlie the lower edge 26 of the door opening and a screw hole 103 permits a means of anchoring this flange in place. Each flange 102 is provided along its inner edge with an upwardly and inwardly turned flange 104 which forms a support for the forward edge of the false bottom of the ice cube compartment as will be described.

With reference now to Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, it will be noted that a false bottom 105 is provided with a rear edge 106 resting upon the refrigerator compartment bottom 27 and is provided with a down turned flange 107 on its forward edge which engages outwardly or upon the upturned flanges 104 of the brackets 92. As indicated, the false bottom 105 is provided with an upwardly inclined forward end 109 which extends generally parallel to the lower edge 26 of the door opening and which is in substantial alignment with the base of the chute 91 in lowered position of this chute.

The chute is best shown in Figures 4 and 12 of the drawings. It comprises a flat panel 110 having a hookshaped inner extremity 111 and a similar hook-shaped outer extremity 112. A pair of runners 113 are bolted or otherwise secured in spaced relation to the outer and under surface of the panel 110. Side flanges 114 are provided on both sides of the panel, these flanges 114 r fitting within the sides of the door opening. Bracket arms 115 are provided on the side flanges 114 to support outwardly projecting pintles 116 which form the pivot connection for the baffle.

The shoes 113 are spaced similarly to the reinforcements 69 embodied in the door 40. The shoes 113 slide along the inner surface of the door 40 as this door is lowered until the upper edge of the door moves beneath the level of the rounded outer ends 117 of the shoes 113. At this time the shoes slide over the upper edge of the door 40 and the baflie 91 swings downwardly until the bottom of the shoes 113 rest upon the lower edge 26 of the door opening 24.

The operation of the apparatus is believed understandable from the foregoing description. With the baflles in 1 place and the door closed, the ice cube machine is placed in operation and continues to operate until the bin or storage compartment is filled to a predetermined level.

From this time the apparatus operates sufficiently to keep" 6 the baffle 91. swings down, these cubes are readily-accessible and a scoop or similar implement which is slid along the panel will engage into the body of ice and remove cubes resting in. the bottom of the storage compartment. 1 1 a When thedesired number of cubes have been removed, the door may be lifted, automatically raising the chute, or baflle 91 and preventing cubes from falling against the door 40. Thus while the cubes are at all times accessible, they will not interfere with the opening and closing of the door.

With this arrangement it will be noted that cubes are constantly removed from the bottom of the storage compartment and the new cubes which are formed drop onto the top of the compartment. If there is any tendency for the cubes to adhere together, they can form an archway inwardly of the upper baffle 80. However, this arrangement merely permits the operator to reach farther into the storage bin and remove ice cubes from the bottom of the storage compartment. This disturbance loosens any ice cubes which do not fall readily due to freezing together and the tendency for the cubes to freeze together is ineffective as the cubes break apart as they drop into dispensing position.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have de scribed the principles of construction and operation of our storage bin for ice cube making machine, and while we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, we desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. An ice cube machine including an ice cube compartment, said compartment having an opening in a side wall thereof, a door, means slidably supporting said door for vertical movement from a position closing said opening to a position substantially beneath said opening, and a baffle including a panel extending transversely of the door opening, and means pivotally supporting the lower edge of said panel along a substantially horizontal axis, the upper edge of said panel including means engageable with the inner surface of said door, said panel swinging over the top of the door when the top of the door is moved beneath the level of said means engaging the door panel.

2. The construction described in claim 1 and in which said means engaging the door panel comprises spaced runners.

3. The construction described in claim 1 and in which said means slidably engaging the door comprises spaced runners and including reinforcing means on the door outwardly of said runners.

4. The construction described in claim 1 and including means for detachably locking said panel in place.

5. A door structure for an ice cube machine including an ice cube storage bin, a door opening in said bin near the bottom thereof, a door, means slidably supporting said door for movement from opening covering position to a position substantially beneath said door opening, a bafile having aligned pivots extending transversely parallel to the portion of the cabinet containing said door opening, means supporting said pivots, said pivots being positioned adjoining the bottom of said bin at a point spaced inwardly from the door opening, said baffle extending upwardly a and outwardly from said pivots with its upper and outer edge engaging the inner surface of said door, the upper and outer edge of said 'baflle extending over the upper edge of the door in lowered position of the door.

6. The construction described in claim 5 and in which the baflle includes spaced shoes engageable with the inner door surface and the upper edge of the door in lowered position thereof.

7. The construction described in claim 5 and including "7 ..8. The construction described in claim 5 and including nieans' engageable withsaid pivots for holdingsaid pivots inproper' position.

9. The construction d'escribedin claim 5 and including a second bafile extending downwardly and inwardly from the upper edge of said door opening and including sides engageable outwardly beyond the sides of the door openin'g within said bin. V

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS r 2 Johnson Jan. 20,1931

'Gaa Nov. 28,1933 Kuertz Sept. 8, 1936 Munshower Oct. 17, 1950 Follett Apr. 3, 1956 

